GED completion leads to fresh start for 48-year-old mom

08.08.2013 | By

Pasadena resident Mary Vargas, 48, received her GED certificate at a completion ceremony held recently at San Jacinto College. Photo credit: Rob Vanya, San Jacinto College marketing, public relations, and government affairs department.

GED completion leads to fresh start for 48-year-old mom

PASADENA, Texas – At 48, Mary Vargas has a fresh start and new direction after passing General Education Development tests and receiving her GED certificate recently at San Jacinto College.

During her childhood, Vargas’ mother stressed the importance of education, but Vargas had a child at age 15 and was unable to finish high school. “I was determined that my children would not make the same mistake I did, so I made sure they finished high school and attended college,” commented Vargas, who lives in Pasadena. “When they finished their education, they told me ‘Mom, it’s your turn now. You need to get your GED and go to college.’ It took me three attempts to pass all of the GED tests, but now I have done it. It truly is never too late. If you believe, you can succeed.”

Vargas plans to attend San Jacinto College, and pursue an associate degree before tentatively transferring to the University of Houston to earn a bachelor’s degree. Her ultimate career goal is to become an educational planner on the college level.

San Jacinto College recently hosted a completion ceremony for students who earned their GED certificates through the College in 2012. All three San Jacinto College campuses administer the five required GED tests. A total of 403 people earned GED certificates at San Jacinto College in 2012, and 63 of the GED completers, along with friends and relatives, attended the graduation ceremony held recently at the Central Campus.

Keynote speaker Kay Moon Winters, who serves as an educational planner for non-traditional students at San Jacinto College, congratulated the GED completers for pursuing education in spite of obstacles. “You have taken a very important step toward success,” she commented. “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.”

Like Vargas, Moon Winters is well qualified to talk about making fresh starts. “I was in the depth of depression at the age of 55,” she said. “But my daughter encouraged me to return to school. She said ‘get up and go to college, they are going to love you.’ Despite fears and uncertainties, I graduated from San Jacinto College and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree.” She said the past 10 years have been perhaps the most rewarding and fulfilling of her life.

Many colleges accept GED certificates in lieu of high school diplomas as one requirement for enrollment. In addition to administering GED tests in English and in Spanish, San Jacinto College offers non-credit GED preparation courses through its Continuing and Professional Development division. For more information, please visit cpd.sanjac.edu.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150 or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact San Jac

The San Jacinto College District is committed to equal opportunity for all students, employees, and applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. The following College official has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College's non-discrimination policies: Vice President of Human Resources, 4620 Fairmont Pkwy., Pasadena, TX 77504; 281-991-2659; Sandra.Ramirez@sjcd.edu